U.S. Under-17s Fall 3-0 to France in Montaigue Semifinals

NewsMar 30, 2002

MONTAIGUE, France (Saturday, March 30, 2002) – The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team saw their four-game international winning streak come to an end with a 3-0 loss to France in the semifinals of the 30th edition of the Mondial Minimes Montaigue Vendee in Montaigue, France. The U.S. will now face Peru in the third-place match on Monday, April 1, at 1:30 p.m. local time (7:30 a.m. ET).

France went ahead early, scoring twice in the first 20 minutes. French midfielder Carlier put the final touch on the scoresheet with a 48th-minute goal, scoring on a rebound after his initial shot was saved by U.S. goalkeeper Phil Marfuggi.

The U.S. advanced to the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Portugal on March 26 and a 2-1 win over Tunisia on March 27. Guillermo Gonzalez and John DiRaimondo scored in each match for the U.S.

Peru lost 2-0 to Argentina in the other semifinal in France today, setting up a final between Argentina and France – the two countries that will enter the World Cup this summer in Korea/Japan as favorites.

France won the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship in Trinidad & Tobago, knocking the U.S. out of the tournament along the way with a 5-3 win.